Were you injured in a crash with a commercial motor vehicle that was someone else’s fault? You might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other accident-related losses. An experienced Houston commercial motor vehicle attorney can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Commercial motor vehicles (“CMV”) are everywhere on the roadways. Most vehicles that are not private passenger vehicles fall into that category. Many CMV drivers operate their vehicles safely, following traffic laws, complying with safety regulations, and driving carefully and defensively. But commercial vehicle accidents can cause devastating and life-changing injuries and even fatalities.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a CMV accident, call our seasoned accident attorneys today at 832-529-3476. The Houston truck accident attorneys of The DJF Law Firm, PLLC have experience dealing with the complexities of CMV accidents and can help you seek the money you need.
CMVs are not just semi-trucks. The category includes work trucks, utility trucks, vans, passenger buses, and taxis. Often, a CMV is larger than a car, SUV, or pickup truck, and the disparity in size can cause more injuries to the passengers of the smaller vehicle.
Common examples of CMVs include:
Commercial vehicle operators must obtain training on the vehicles they drive, pass tests, and get specialized licenses with endorsements necessary for particular categories of vehicles. For example, a school bus driver in Texas must hold a class B Commercial Driver’s License (“CDL”) with a Passenger (P) and school bus (S) endorsement.
Commercial motor vehicles must also be maintained and operated under a framework of state and federal laws and regulations. Every person who holds a CDL must pass a U.S. Department of Transportation physical examination and receive a Medical Examiner’s Certificate indicating that the driver can safely operate a CMV. This exam must occur every two years.
Commercial motor vehicle drivers are also subject to hours of service limitations and rest requirements. For example, a commercial driver carrying cargo can drive a maximum of eleven hours after ten consecutive hours off duty, while a driver carrying passengers can only drive ten hours after having eight consecutive hours off duty. Federal regulations also require systematic commercial vehicle inspection, repair, and maintenance.
Even with safety regulations, CMV accidents still occur. In a recent year in Texas, CMVs were involved in 32,580 crashes, with 9,143 injuries.
Commercial motor vehicle accidents happen for many different reasons. The type of accident is usually related to the conditions that caused it.
For example, a jackknife accident occurs when the rear of a trailer of a large truck swings toward the front of the cab, causing a “v” shape. This type of accident can happen because the cargo is unbalanced, the driver turns too fast, or the driver quickly brakes on wet or icy roads. Jackknife accidents often happen suddenly and usually occur across two or more lanes of traffic, resulting in a chain reaction of accidents.
Another example is that a distracted driver can cause a rear-end collision. A commercial driver can get distracted by using the phone for texts or calls or even by using company computers for delivery, dispatch, or navigation. The odds of a CMV being involved in a crash, a near-crash, or an unintentional lane deviation are more than 23 times greater for a commercial driver who texts while driving than for a driver who does not. Ignoring the road means failing to see cars stopped in front of the driver, resulting in failing to brake and a subsequent rear-end crash.
Poor weather can also cause CMV accidents. Federal regulations require commercial vehicle operators to slow down or even completely stop if weather conditions adversely affect visibility and traction. In ideal conditions, the average stopping distance for a loaded semi-truck going 55 miles per hour is 196 feet. In snow, sleet, or rain, a CMV requires much more distance to stop, but drivers do not always allow that much space.
Immediately after a CMV accident, you should get medical attention. Take care of your health before anything else. Call 911 and let the paramedics examine you, even if you do not feel like you have injuries. Some injuries, such as neck injuries, may even develop later once your adrenaline has worn off. When a police officer arrives at the scene, cooperate fully, and ask the officer to create an accident report. Get the officer’s card or badge number and follow up with them to obtain the report.
Once your medical condition is stable, document the scene of the accident. Take photos from different angles. Photograph the vehicles from all sides, the skid marks, and the vehicle positions on the road. Also, take pictures of your injuries.
Trucking companies often have rapid response teams, including their investigators or attorneys, whose job is to collect evidence helpful to the company. Do not talk to these people. Do not talk to anyone at the accident scene other than first responders. Do not talk to the other driver, either, except to exchange insurance information.
Likewise, do not talk to any insurance adjusters or any truck company representatives by phone in the days after the accident. They do not have your best interests in mind. They will use what you tell them against you if they can. Instead, use that time to find and retain an attorney. Our Houston commercial vehicle attorneys at The DJF Law Firm, PLLC stand ready to intercede on your behalf and deal with the trucking company and insurance companies, so you don’t have to.
The experienced Houston commercial vehicle accident attorneys at The DJF Law Firm, PLLC can help if a CMV accident injures you. The DJF Law Firm, PLLC also has attorneys who can help if an accident takes the life of someone you love. Call us at 832-529-3476 or contact us online for a free initial consultation. We can discuss your claim, your legal rights and remedies, and your options for moving forward.